Military spouses face a big challenge when they pursue mobile careers. Spouses must reestablish credibility and professionalism with each move and each job. And a professional certification can help cut through that process.

“I looked at the jobs I wanted five years down the road and asked what those folks did to get there,” says Army spouse Lynn Edwards. “In my world, it’s the Certified Meeting Planner or CMP. It gives you instant credibility.”

Additionally, Coast Guard spouse Elaine Wilhelm-Hass has worked in nursing and nursing administration. She has moved 15 times in 25 years of being married to the military. She mentions credentials and continuing education as key to your marketability.

“I see myself as competing again after every move and I position my skills and knowledge to help that competition.” Wilhelm-Hass chose to get a master’s degree in business and a quality certification to make herself more competitive. And she made sure she took computer courses to keep her skills up to date — something necessary in the healthcare world of today and something that many nurses don’t do. “You have to go beyond the minimum required for your state re-licensure if you want to position yourself to compete.”

Online college courses/distance learning make continuing education as you move more accessible than in the past. Also check with your professional association to find out about short-term intensive courses available through the organization. Many of those are now available online as well. Some advanced degrees are also available in the form of “low-residency” programs, where you attend one or two intensive week-long programs a year and do the rest of your work online. Check through your education center on base to find out what programs are best for you. Plus, the Education Center at your military installation will have information on available grants or scholarships you may be eligible for.

There are two additional, and valuable, resources that can help you identify available scholarships:

• One is the Military Scholarship Finder at http://aid.military.com/scholarship/search-for-scholarships.do.
• The other is to contact www.militaryonesource.com and ask them to research available scholarships based on your field and situation. (As we go to press, the National Military Family Association has announced their new comprehensive guide to education opportunities and scholarships for military spouses and families. Visit www.nmfa.org)

Be sure to consider continuing education opportunities outside of the college arena as well. For example, if you want to refresh your computer skills, there are short, intensive courses offered by computer stores or through continuing education programs like Discovery U or Learning Annex (available in many metropolitan areas). Programs like Learning Annex also offer other subjects that can improve your skills for your current job and future marketability with courses such as Grant writing, Sales/Negotiation, or Public Speaking.

You can also create your own self-study program for just about any topic using a combination of books, CDs and videos/DVDs. Talk with your reference librarian on base and off to find out what is available. If you have an Ipod or similar device, you can create a learning program with downloaded books, magazines and courses from companies like Audible.com.

Consider alternative ways to gain specific skills you need to advance in your career. That can range from volunteering for a project at work to apprenticing with an expert on a project in a volunteer organization you take part in.

Cydnee Gentry is a Marine Corps spouse who has moved 10 times in 15 years. She has been able to find jobs in her field of education with each move. She echoes the other spouse comments. “You have to have a lot of flexibility and multiple certifications. As the Marines say, Semper Gumby, Always Flexible.”

Excerpted with permission from Help! I’m a Military Spouse — I Want a Life Too! How to Craft a Life for You as You Move with the Military by Kathie Hightower & Holly Scherer.